Namje Kim

Monolithic dual-mode distributed feedback semiconductor laser for tunable continuous-wave terahertz generation

We report on a monolithic dual-mode semiconductor laser operating in the 1550-nm range as a compact optical beat source for tunable continuous-wave (CW) terahertz (THz) generation. It consists of two distributed feedback (DFB) laser sections and one phase section between them. Each wavelength of the two modes can be independently tuned by adjusting currents in micro-heaters which are fabricated on the top of the each DFB section. The continuous tuning of the CW THz emission from Fe(+)-implanted InGaAs photomixers is successfully demonstrated using our dual-mode laser as the excitation source. The CW THz frequency is continuously tuned from 0.17 to 0.49 THz.

Widely tunable dual-wavelength Er 3+ -doped fiber laser for tunable continuous-wave terahertz radiation

We propose a widely tunable dual-wavelength Erbium-doped fiber laser that uses two micro-heater-integrated Fabry-Perot laser diodes (FP-LDs) and two fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) for tunable continuous-wave (CW) terahertz (THz) radiation. Each wavelength can be independently tuned by using an FP-LD and an FBG. The wavelength fine tuning is achieved by simultaneously applying current to the micro-heater on the FP-LD and strain to the FBG. The side-mode suppression ratio is more than 35 dB for both wavelengths. The wavelength spacing of the dual wavelength can be continuously tuned from 3.2 nm to 9.6 nm. Continuous frequency tuning of the CW THz radiation is also successfully achieved using an InGaAs-based photomixer with our dual-wavelength fiber laser as the optical beat source. The emitted CW THz radiation is continuously tuned from 0.3 to 0.8 THz.

Tunable continuous-wave terahertz generation/detection with compact 1.55 μm detuned dual-mode laser diode and InGaAs based photomixer

We demonstrate a tunable continuous-wave (CW) terahertz (THz) homodyne system with a novel detuned dual-mode laser diode (DML) and low-temperature-grown (LTG) InGaAs photomixers. The optical beat source with the detuned DML showed a beat frequency tuning range of 0.26 to over 1.07 THz. Log-spiral antenna integrated LTG InGaAs photomixers are used as THz wave generators and detectors. The CW THz radiation frequency was continuously tuned to over 1 THz. Our results clearly show the feasibility of a compact and fast scanning CW THz spectrometer consisting of a fiber-coupled detuned DML and photomixers operating in the 1.55-μm range.

InGaAs Schottky barrier diode array detector for a real-time compact terahertz line scanner.

We present a terahertz (THz) broadband antenna-integrated 1 × 20 InGaAs Schottky barrier diode (SBD) array detector with an average responsivity of 98.5 V/W at a frequency of 250 GHz, which is measured without attaching external amplifiers and Si lenses, and an average noise equivalent power (NEP) of 106.6 pW/√Hz. The 3-dB bandwidth of the SBD detector is also investigated at approximately 180 GHz. For implementing an array-type SBD detector by a simple fabrication process to achieve a high yield, a structure comprising an SiN(x) layer instead of an air bridge between the anode and the cathode is designed. THz line beam imaging using a Gunn diode emitter with a center frequency of 250 GHz and a 1 × 20 SBD array detector is successfully demonstrated.

Optical fiber-coupled InGaAs-based terahertz time–domain spectroscopy system

The successful demonstration of an optical fiber-coupled terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) system is described in this study. The terahertz output power of the emitter with two optical band rejection filters was 132 nW, which is an improvement of 70% over the output power without any filters. This improvement is due to the suppression of an optical modulated signal that is reverse-generated when an alternating current bias exceeding a certain threshold is applied to the emitter. Under the optimal alignment conditions, the terahertz detector in a fiber-coupled THz-TDS system clearly measured water vapor dips in the free space.

Compact fiber-pigtailed InGaAs photoconductive antenna module for terahertz-wave generation and detection

We propose a compact fiber-pigtailed InGaAs photoconductive antenna (FPP) module having an effective heat-dissipation solution as well as a module volume of less than 0.7 cc. The heat-dissipation of the FPP modules when using a heat-conductive printed circuit board (PCB) and an aluminium nitride (AlN) submount, without any cooling systems, improve by 40% and 85%, respectively, when compared with a photoconductive antenna chip on a conventional PCB. The AlN submount is superior to those previously reported as a heat-dissipation solution. Terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) using the FPP module perfectly detects the absorption lines of water vapor in free space and an α-lactose sample.

Simple and cost-effective thickness measurement terahertz system based on a compact 1.55 μm λ/4 phase-shifted dual-mode laser.

A simple thickness measurement method based on the coherent homodyne CW THz system was demonstrated; it does not require precise control of the frequencies of the beat source, and only accurate scanning of the optical delay line is needed. Three beat frequencies are sufficient for measuring the thickness of a sample without considering the modulo 2π ambiguity. A novel compact 1.55 μm λ/4 phase-shifted dual-mode laser (DML) was developed as an optical beat source for the CW THz system. The thickness of a sample was accurately estimated from the measurements using the proposed method. Our results clearly show the possibility of a compact, simple, and cost-effective CW THz system for practical applications.

Dynamic Sensor Interrogation Using Wavelength-Swept Laser with a Polygon-Scanner-Based Wavelength Filter

We report a high-speed (∼2 kHz) dynamic multiplexed fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensor interrogation using a wavelength-swept laser (WSL) with a polygon-scanner-based wavelength filter. The scanning frequency of the WSL is 18 kHz, and the 10 dB scanning bandwidth is more than 90 nm around a center wavelength of 1,540 nm. The output from the WSL is coupled into the multiplexed FBG array, which consists of five FBGs. The reflected Bragg wavelengths of the FBGs are 1,532.02 nm, 1,537.84 nm, 1,543.48 nm, 1,547.98 nm, and 1,553.06 nm, respectively. A dynamic periodic strain ranging from 500 Hz to 2 kHz is applied to one of the multiplexed FBGs, which is fixed on the stage of the piezoelectric transducer stack. Good dynamic performance of the FBGs and recording of their fast Fourier transform spectra have been successfully achieved with a measuring speed of 18 kHz. The signal-to-noise ratio and the bandwidth over the whole frequency span are determined to be more than 30 dB and around 10 Hz, respectively. We successfully obtained a real-time measurement of the abrupt change of the periodic strain. The dynamic FBG sensor interrogation system can be read out with a WSL for high-speed and high-sensitivity real-time measurement.

Distributed feedback laser diode integrated with distributed Bragg reflector for continuous-wave terahertz generation

A widely tunable dual mode laser diode with a single cavity structure is demonstrated. This novel device consists of a distributed feedback (DFB) laser diode and distributed Bragg reflector (DBR). Micro-heaters are integrated on the top of each section for continuous and independent wavelength tuning of each mode. By using a single gain medium in the DFB section, an effective common optical cavity and common modes are realized. The laser diode shows a wide tunability of the optical beat frequency, from 0.48 THz to over 2.36 THz. Continuous wave THz radiation is also successfully generated with low-temperature grown InGaAs photomixers from 0.48 GHz to 1.5 THz.

Rapidly frequency-swept optical beat source for continuous wave terahertz generation

We propose a rapidly frequency-swept optical beat source for continuous wave (CW) THz generation using a wavelength swept laser and a fixed distributed feedback (DFB) laser. The range of the sweeping bandwidth is about 17.3 nm (2.16 THz), 1541.42-1558.72 nm. The achieved side mode suppression ratio for both wavelengths within the full sweeping range is more than 45 dB. We observe CW THz signals for tunable optical beat sources using a fiber coupled CW THz measurement system to confirm the feasibility of using our frequency swept optical beat source as a CW THz radiation source. The THz output signal falls to the thermal noise level of the low-temperature grown (LTG) InGaAs photomixer beyond 1.0 THz. The rapidly frequency-swept optical beat source will be useful for generating high-speed tunable CW THz radiation.